Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
वेदमार्गं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणाश्शूद्रयाजिनः । दरिद्रा वै भविष्यंति प्रतिग्रहरता स्सदा
vedamārgaṃ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇāśśūdrayājinaḥ | daridrā vai bhaviṣyaṃti pratigraharatā ssadā
जो ब्राह्मण वेदमार्ग का नाम आगे रखकर शूद्रों के लिए यज्ञ कराते हैं, वे निश्चय ही दरिद्र हो जाते हैं, क्योंकि वे सदा प्रतिग्रह (दान-ग्रहण) में आसक्त रहते हैं।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It warns that dharma collapses when sacred rites are driven by greed; in Shaiva understanding, ritual must be purified by devotion and right intention, otherwise it yields binding karma and worldly suffering such as poverty and loss of merit.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity, humility, and devotion to Saguna Shiva; this verse contrasts that ideal with ritualism done for payment, implying that true Shaiva worship is not a marketplace transaction but a disciplined offering (ārādhana) aligned with dharma.
The takeaway is to perform worship and japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with restraint and non-greed, keeping offerings and priestly duties free from excessive fee-seeking; maintain purity through simple pūjā, bhasma/tripuṇḍra where appropriate, and sincere vrata discipline.